Non-peptide inhibition of T-lymphocyte activation and therapies related thereto

ABSTRACT

Compounds, preparations and methods for immunosuppressive treatment of autoimmune disorders, graft rejection and/or graft/host disease. Therapeutically effective amounts of certain substituted triarylmethane compounds, such as 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole, are administered to mammalian patients to selectively inhibit the calcium-activated K +  channel (IKCa1) in lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, platelets or endothelial cells without concomitant inhibition of P450-dependent enzyme systems, resulting in reduction of antigen-, cytokine-, or mitogen-induced calcium entry through store operated calcium channels in these cells, suppression of cytokine production by these cells, and inhibition of activation of these cells. Such inhibition of the Ca ++  activated K +  channel (IKCa1) prevents the pre-Ca ++  stage of cell activation and thus causes immunosuppression and an anti-inflammatory response.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to chemical compositions, preparations and methods for medical treatment and more particularly to the use of certain substituted triarylmethane compounds for immunosuppressive treatment of autoimmune disorders or inflammatory diseases, or the treatment or prevention of transplant rejection or graft-versus-host disease in mammalian patients.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Organ transplantation has become routine in many parts of the world. Transplants of liver, kidney, heart, lung and pancreas, are now regularly performed as treatment for end-stage organ disease. The outcomes of organ transplant procedures have progressively improved with the development of refinements in tissue typing, surgical techniques, and more effective immunosuppressive treatments. However, rejection of transplanted organs remains a major problem. T-lymphocytes play a central role in the immune response and they are responsible, in large measure, for the rejection of many transplanted organs. They are also responsible for the so-called graft-versus host disease in which transplanted bone marrow cells recognize and destroy MHC-mismatched host tissues. Accordingly, drugs such as cyclosporin and FK506 that suppress T-cell immunity are used to prevent transplant rejection and graft-versus-host disease. Unfortunately, these T-cell inhibiting drugs are toxic, with liver and renal toxicities limiting their use.

Autoimmune diseases encompass a whole spectrum of clinical disorders wherein a patient's immune system mistakenly attacks self, targeting the cells, tissues, and organs of the patient's own body. The following are some examples of autoimmune diseases, categorized with respect to the target organ that is principally affected by each such disease: Nervous System: Multiple sclerosis Myasthenia gravis Autoimmune neuropathies such as Guillain-Barre Autoimmune uveitis Blood: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia Pernicious anemia Autoimmune thrombocytopenia Vascular: Temporal arteritis Anti-phospholipid syndrome Vasculitides such as Wegener's granulomatosis Behcet's disease Skin: Psoriasis Dermatitis herpetiformis Pemphigus vulgaris Vitiligo Gastrointestinal Tract: Crohn's Disease Ulcerative colitis Primary biliary cirrhosis Autoimmune hepatitis Endocrine: Type 1 diabetes mellitus Addison's Disease Grave's Disease Hashimoto's thyroiditis Autoimmune oophoritis and orchitis Multiple Organs and/or Musculoskeletal System: Rheumatoid arthritis Systemic lupus erythematosus Scleroderma Polymyositis, dermatomyositis Spondyloarthropathies such as ankylosing spondylitis Sjogren's syndrome

Irrespective of the particular organ(s) affected, T-lymphocytes are believed to contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases. The currently available therapies for these diseases are largely unsatisfactory and typically involve the use of glucocorticoids (e.g. methylprednisolone, prednisone), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, gold salts, methotrexate, antimalarials, and other immunosuppressants such as cyclosporin and FK-506.

Thus, the search for additional immunosuppressive agents for preventing transplant rejection and for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders occupies considerable attention in the pharmaceutical industry. Since cytokines such as interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha play a critical role in transplant rejection and in the pathophysiology of autoimmune disorders, much effort has been invested in the development of agents that suppress their production, secretion and/or end-organ effect.

There is an excellent track record of treating nervous and cardiovascular disorders with ion channel modulators - either openers or blockers. Ion channel blockers as a general class, represent the major therapeutic agents for treatment of stroke, epilepsy and arrhythmias. Since ion channels play a major role in the T-cell immune response, these channels may represent attractive targets for pharmaceutical immunomodulation.

The early stages of T-cell activation may be conceptually separated into pre-Ca⁺⁺ and post-Ca⁺⁺ events (Cahalan and Chandy 1997, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 8: 749). Following engagement of antigen with the T-cell antigen-receptor, activation of tyrosine kinases and the generation of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate leads to the influx of Ca⁺⁺ through store-operated calcium channels (also known as Calcium-Release Activated Calcium or CRAC channels) and the rise of cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration (Cahalan and Chandy 1997, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 8: 749; Kerschbaum and Cahalan 1999, Science 283: 836; Kerschbaum and Cahalan 1998; J. Gen. Physiol. 111: 521). The rise in Ca⁺⁺ activates the phosphatase calcineurin, which then dephosphorylates a cytoplasmically localized transcription factor (N-FAT) enabling it to accumulate in the nucleus and bind to a promoter element of the interleukin-2 gene. Along with parallel events involving the activation of protein kinase C and ras, gene transcription leads to lymphokine secretion and to lymphocyte proliferation. Some genes require long-lasting Ca⁺⁺ signals while others require only a transient rise of Ca⁺⁺. Furthermore, Ca⁺⁺ immobilization of the T-cell at the site of antigen presentation helps to cement the interaction between T-cell and the antigen-presenting cell and thereby facilitate local signaling between the cells (Negulescu 1996, Immunity 4:421).

Ion channels underlie the Ca⁺⁺ signal of T-lymphocytes. Ca⁺⁺ ions move across the plasma membrane through a channel termed the store-operated Ca⁺⁺ channel or the CRAC channel which is activated by depletion of internal calcium stores like the endoplasmic reticulum (Cahalan and Chandy 1997, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 8: 749). Two distinct types of potassium channels indirectly determine the driving force of calcium entry through the store-operated Ca²⁺ channel (Cahalan and Chandy 1997, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 8: 749). The first is the voltage-gated Kv1.3 channel (Cahalan 1985, J. Physiol. 385: 197; Grissmer 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87: 9411; Verheugen 1995, J. Gen. Physiol. 105: 765; Aiyar 1996, J. Biol. Chem. 271: 31013; Cahalan and Chandy 1997, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 8: 749) and the second is the intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel, IKCa1 (Grissmer 1993, J. Gen. Physiol. 102: 601; Fanger 1999 J. Biol. Chem. 274: 5746; Rauer 1999, J. Biol. Chem. 274: 21885) which is also known as IK1 (VanDorpe 1998, J. Biol. Chem. 273: 21542), hSK4 (Joiner 1997, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sc. USA 94: 11013; Khanna 1999, J. Biol. Chem. 274: 14838) and hKCa4 (Lodgson 1997, J. Biol. Chem. 272: 32723; Ghanshani 1998, Genomics 51: 160). When these potassium channels open, the resulting efflux of K⁺ hyperpolarizes the membrane, which in turn accentuates the entry of Ca⁺⁺, which is absolutely required for downstream activation events (Cahalan and Chandy 1997, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 8: 749). Blockers of the Kv1.3 and IKCa1 channels suppress human T-cell activation, when applied independently, and produce greater suppression when applied together (DeCoursey 1984, Nature 307: 465; Chandy J. Exp. Med. 160: 369; Koo 1997, J. Immunol. 158: 5120; Nguyen 1995, Mol. Pharmacol. 50: 1672; Hanson 1999, Br. J. Pharmacol. 126: 1707; Kalman 1998, J. Biol. Chem. 278: 32697; Khanna 1999, J. Biol. Chem. 274: 14838; Jensen 1999; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sc. USA 96: 10917). One mechanism for the immunosuppression by K⁺ channel blockers is via membrane depolarization, which reduces Ca⁺⁺ entry through CRAC channels in the T-cell membrane, which in turn leads to suppression of calcium-dependent signaling events during human T-cell activation (Cahalan and Chandy 1997, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 8: 749; Koo 1999, Cell. Immunol. 197: 99).

Clotrimazole, a non-selective inhibitor of IKCa1, suppresses mitogen-stimulated T-cell activation, especially of pre-activated cells (Khanna 1999, J. Biol. Chem. 274: 14838; Jensen 1999, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96: 10917). Clotrimazole and related imidazoles, other than the compounds of this invention, have also previously been described for use in treating rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder (Wojtulewski 1980, Ann. Rheum. Dis. 39: 469; Wyburn-Mason 1976, U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,922; Wyburn-Mason 1987, U.S. Pat. No. 183,941; Wyburn-Mason 1979, U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,449). However, clotrimazole shows considerable toxicity with increasing doses, toxicity being primarily associated with its potent (nanomolar) inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes (Wojtulewski 1980, Ann. Rheum. Dis. 39: 469; Burgess 1972 Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 2: 423; Brugnara 1996, J. Clin Invest. 97: 1227). Thus, there clearly is a need for newer analogs that block IKCa1 without concomitant inhibition of cytochrome P450-dependent enzymes.

Other patents have described the use of clotrimazole, related azole antimycotics (e.g., miconazole and econazole) and related aromatic halides for the treatment of cancer (Halperin 1994, WO 96/08240; Halperin 1997 U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,274), but only at micromolar concentrations (Benzaquen 1995, Nat. Med. 1: 534), substantially greater than the concentrations required to block the IKCa1 channel (˜20-100 nM), suggesting that the mechanism of suppression of proliferation might be unrelated to channel block. Also at micromolar concentrations, clotrimazole, related azole antimycotics (e.g., miconazole and econazole) and related aromatic halides have been described for use in the treatment of arteriosclerosis as a hyperproliferative disease (Halperin 1994, WO 94/189680 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,959), and for the treatment of diseases characterized by neovascularization (Halperin 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,591; Halperin 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,936 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,763).

At least some of the triarylmethyl-1H-pyrazole compounds of the present invention have also previously been described in PCT International Publication WO 97/34599 entitled USE OF CLOTRIMAZOLE AND RELATED COMPOUNDS IN THE TREATMENT OF DIARRHEA, as being useable for the treatment of diarrhea, although they do not constitute preferred embodiments of the inventions.

Also, PCT International Publication WO/97/34589 entitled TRIARYL METHANE COMPOUNDS FOR SICKLE CELL DISEASE describes various substituted triarylmethane compounds as effective treatments for sickle cell disease due to their ability to inhibit ion flux through the calcium activated potassium channel (Gardos channel) of erythrocytes, which has now been shown to be encoded by the IKCa1 gene (VanDorpe 1998, J. Biol. Chem. 273: 21542). Clotrimazole, the preferred compound in this invention is in phase II trials for the treatment of sickle cell disease gene (VanDorpe 1998, J. Biol. Chem. 273: 21542), but at higher doses causes toxic side effects most likely due to its inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes. The PCT International Publication WO/97/34589 also describes various substituted triarylmethane compounds as effective treatments for diseases characterized by unwanted or abnormal cell proliferation (the examples cited being melanoma cells and fibroblast proliferation), but at only micromolar concentrations (Benzaquen 1995, Nat. Med. 1: 534; Halperin 1997 U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,274; PCT application WO/97/34589; PCT application WO/97/08240) which are substantially higher than that required for block of the IKCa1 channel (half-block at 20-100 nM), suggesting that the mechanism of suppression of cell proliferation might be unrelated to channel block. Furthermore, since the three compounds used to support this claim, clotrimazole, ketoconazole and miconazole (Benzaquen 1995, Nat. Med. 1: 534) also inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes at nanomolar concentrations (Mason 1987, Steroids 50: 179; Morris 1992, FASEB J. 6: 752), the mechanism of suppression of abnormal proliferation may be related to inhibition of these enzymes. Another possible mechanism for suppression of proliferation stated in PCT application WO/97/34589 is non-specific cytotoxicity. Therefore, the claims in PCT application WO/97/34589 that suppression of abnormal proliferation is due solely to alteration of transmembrane ion fluxes cannot be substantiated.

WO 97/34589 does not describe or suggest that the substituted triarylmethane compounds disclosed therein are capable of selectively blocking the calcium activated potassium channels encoded by the IKCa1 gene in resting and activated T-lymphocytes, or that such compounds would, alone or in combination with other inhibitors of T-cell signaling cascades, suppress antigen-, cytokine- and/or mitogen-stimulated calcium-entry through store-operated calcium channels, and/or cytokine production and/or activation of human T-lymphocytes, without concomitant inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes, leading to immunosuppressive activity when administered to mammalian patients.

Given the shortcomings associated with the currently available modes of therapy for autoimmune disorders, transplant rejection and graft-versus-host disease, there remains a need for the development of new immunosuppressive drugs that are capable of selectively inhibiting the activation of lymphocytes with minimal side effects, and without affecting the cytochrome P450 enzyme system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally comprises pharmaceutical preparations containing substituted triarylmethane compounds, as listed in Appendix A, and methods for immunosuppressive treatment of autoimmune disorders, graft rejection and/or graft-versus-host disease by administering therapeutically effective amounts of such compounds to mammalian patients.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a method for inhibiting antigen-, cytokine-, or mitogen-induced calcium-entry through store-operated calcium channels, cytokine production and cell activation in lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages and for treating autoimmune disorders, graft rejection and/or graft-versus-host disease by administering to a mammalian patient a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound having the general structural formula:

-   -   Wherein,     -   X, Y and Z are same or different and are independently selected         from CH₂, O, S, NR₁, N═CH, CH═N and R₂—C═C—R₃, where R₂ and R₃         are H or may combine to form a saturated or unsaturated         carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, optionally substituted with         one or more R groups;     -   R₁ is selected from H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl,         aryl, acyl and aroyl, optionally substituted with hydroxy,         amino, substituted amino, cyano, alkoxy, halogen, trihaloalkyl,         nitro, thio, alkylthio, carboxy and alkoxycarbonyl groups;     -   R is selected from H, halogen, trihaloalkyl, hydroxy, acyloxy,         alkoxy, alkenyloxy, thio, alkylthio, nitro, cyano, ureido, acyl,         carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, N—(R₄)(R₅) and saturated or         unsaturated, chiral or achiral, cyclic or acyclic, straight or         branched hydrocarbyl group with from 1 to 20 carbon atoms,         optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, trihaloalkyl,         alkylthio, alkoxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, oxoalkyl, cyano and         N—(R₄)(R₅) group,     -   R₄ and R₅ are selected from H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,         cycloalkyl and acyl or R₄ and R₅ may combine to form a ring,         wherein a carbon may be optionally substituted by a heteroatom         selected from O, S or N—R₆,     -   R₆ is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl or         carboxyalkyl,     -   n is 0-5; m is 1 or 2; with the proviso that     -   when m is 1, Q is selected from OH, CN, carboxyalkyl,         N—(R₇)(R₈), where R₇ and R₈ are selected from H, lower alkyl         (1-4C), cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, amido, or R₇ and R₈ may combine         to form a saturated or unsaturated heterocylic ring and         optionally substituted with up to 3 additional heteroatoms         selected from N, O, and S; or     -   —NH-heterocycle, where the heterocycle is represented by         thiazole, oxazole, isoxazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, and purine         and     -   where U and V are selected from H and O; and     -   when m is 2, Q is a spacer of from 2-10 carbons either as a         straight or branched hydrocarbon chain, or containing a         hydrocarbon ring such as phenyl.     -   In the most preferred embodiment of this invention,     -   X, Y, and Z are R₂—C═C—R₃, where R₂ and R₃ are H;     -   R is selected from H and halogen, preferably, F and Cl;     -   m is 1; and     -   Q is —N—(R₇)(R₈), where R₇ and R₈ are selected from H, acyl,         amido, and R₇ and R₈ combine to form a saturated or unsaturated         heterocyclic ring, optionally substituted with up to three         heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, for example, pyrrolidine,         piperidine, pyrazole, oxazole, isoxazole, tetrazole, azepine,         etc., which may be optionally substituted with a lower alkyl or         amino group.

Further in accordance with the invention, preferred compounds of this invention having the general Formula I above, are a group of triarylmethyl-1H-pyrazole compounds that have structural Formula I-A below:

-   -   Wherein:     -   X, Y, and Z are R₂—C═C—R₃, where R₂ and R₃ are H;     -   R is selected from H and halogen, preferably, F and Cl;         Compounds of Formula I-A have been determined to selectively         inhibit the intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium         channel, IKCa1, at low nanomolar concentrations, and exhibit         200-1500 fold selectivity for this channel over other ion         channels, and over cytochrome P450-dependent enzymes.

Still further in accordance with the invention, 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (designated as T34 in Appendix A) and possibly other compounds of Formulas I and I-A above, when administered to mammalian patients, inhibit (i.e., block or partially block) the intermediate conductance Ca⁺⁺ activated K channel (IKCa1) expressed in resting and activated lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, platelets and endothelial cells. By inhibiting the IKCa1 channel in lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, platelets and endothelial cells the present invention prevents or deters Ca⁺⁺ entry and, thus, disrupts the signaling cascade that leads to cytokine production and cell activation. It is by this mechanism, and possibly others, that the compounds of Formulas I and I-A are useable to cause suppression of immune and anti-inflammatory responses. Unlike clotrimazole, the compounds of Formula I and I-A lack the imidazole moiety that is believed to be responsible for inhibition of cytochrome P450-dependent enzymes and, thus, the compounds of Formula II above will inhibit or block the Ca⁺⁺ activated K⁺ channel (IKCa1) without also causing inhibition of cytochrome P450-dependent enzymes. In this manner, the compounds of Formula I and I-A can be administered in amounts that are effective to inhibit (i.e., block or partially block) the Ca⁺⁺ activated K⁺ channel (IKCa1) without causing at least some of the toxic side-effects associated with cytochrome P450 inhibition by clotrimazole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a shows the block of an IKCa1 current (hIKCa1 expressed in COS-7 cells) by 100 nM T34.

FIG. 1 b shows the Hill plot (nH=1.8) of the reduction of slope conductance at −80 mV of IKCa1 currents in COS-7 cells (n=15).

FIG. 1 c is a graph showing the effect of 100 nM of T34 on native IK_(Ca) currents in a human T-lymphocyte after 4 days of activation with 1 μg/ml PHA. Currents were elicited by 200 ms voltage ramps from −160 to 40 mV every 30 s with 1 μM of free Ca⁺⁺ in the pipette solution.

FIG. 2 shows the hydrolysis of compound T34 and clotrimazole at pH 7.4 and pH 5.0.

FIG. 3 shows the hydrolysis of compound T34 to T3 at pH1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description, and the examples contained therein, are provided for the purpose of describing and illustrating certain embodiments of the invention only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

The present invention provides for the use of therapeutically effective substituted triaryl methane compounds that are more selective in inhibiting the said channel in nanomolar concentrations and exhibiting no inhibitory effect on the cytochrome P450-dependent enzyme systems at 50 times greater concentrations. Because the imidazole moiety is responsible for inhibition of cytochrome P-450-dependent enzymes, applicants have synthesized compounds of Formula I and I-A above that do not include the imidazole moiety, including instead other heterocyclic groups. Applicants have also synthesized a range of triaryl-methanols, amines, ureas, acetonitriles and related compounds, as listed in Appendix A, by synthetic methodologies outlined in Scheme 1 below. The triarylmethyl-1-H-pyrazoles of this invention potently block IKCa1. Applicants have further discovered that one particular compound of this invention having Structural formula I-B below, exhibits ˜3-fold greater affinity for the channel (K_(d)=20 nM) than clotrimazole (K_(d)=70 nM), and does not inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4, the major xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme in the human liver, even at a concentration of 10 μM. Four other compounds in this series (T39, T40, T46 and T84) are more potent inhibitors of IKCa1 channels than clotrimazole (TABLE 8).

Furthermore, applicants have discovered that the ratio of cytochrome P-450-dependent enzyme systems inhibition (EC₅₀) to IKCa1 inhibition (K_(d)) needs to be >50-100 to achieve the therapeutic effect for prevention of the diseases modulated by IKCa1 channel without the aforementioned side effects evident in clotrimazole and related imidazoles.

As a further test of selectivity, applicants have evaluated 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole, one of the compounds of this invention (designated as T-34 in Appendix A), on other cloned and native ion channels, (Kv1.1-1.5, Kv3.1, Kv4.2, Jurkat-SK_(Ca), BKCa, hSKM1-Na, CRAC and lymphocyte chloride channels). All of these channels were blocked with K_(d) values˜5 μM. Thus, T34 was found to be a remarkably potent and selective IKCa1 inhibitor. Because of its structural similarity to clotrimazole and based on experimental data described in the examples below, we expect that T34 (logP=4.0 versus 3.5 for clotrimazole) will have a similar or slightly better bioavailability than clotrimzole and, contrary to clotrimazole, no side effects mediated by inhibition of cytochrome P450-dependant enzymes.

The invention is particularly concerned with compounds for effective treatments for auto-immune disorders, transplant rejection, inflammatory disorders and graft-versus-host disease. Accordingly, the present invention provides compositions and methods suitable for treatment of said diseases, and further provides therapy devoid of side effects associated with currently available drugs on the market.

The present invention includes methods that are specifically intended to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation in a mammalian patient who is in need of such treatment. Specifically, the method of this invention is useful in treating and preventing the resistance to transplantation rejection of organs or tissues (such as heart, kidney, liver, lung, bone marrow, cornea, pancreas, limb, nerves, medulla ossium, duodenum, small bowel, skin, pancreatic islet etc. including xeno transplantation), graft-versus-host diseases, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, type I diabetes mellitus, nephrotic syndrome, steroid-dependent and steroid-resistant nephrosis, palmar-plantar pustolosis, allergic encephalomyelitis, glomerulonephritis, Behcet's syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, polymyositis, fibromyositis, etc.

The compounds of this invention are also useful for treating inflammatory, proliferative and hyperproliferative skin diseases and cutaneous manifestations of immunologically mediated illnesses such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and other eczematous dermatitises, seborrhoic dermatitis, Lichen planus, Pemphigus, bullous Pemphigus, Epidermolysis bullosa, angiodemas, vasculilides, erythemas, cutanous eosinophilias, acne, Alopecia areata, and arteriosclerosis.

The compounds of the invention are further useful in the treatment of respiratory diseases, for example sarcoidosis, fibroid lung, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and reversible obstructive airway diseases, including conditions such as asthma, including bronchial asthma, allergic asthma, intrinsic asthma, extrinsic asthma and dust asthma, bronchitis and the like. The compounds may also be useful for the treating hepatic injury associated with ischemia.

The compounds may also be indicated in certain eye diseases such as keratoconjunctivitis, vernal conjunctivitis, keratitis, uveitis, corneal leukoma, occular pemphigus, Mooren's ulcer, Scleritis, Graves' ophtalmopathy, sympathetic ophthalmia and the like.

The compounds are also useful treating inflammatory bowl diseases (e.g. Crohn's disease), neurological diseases (including Guillain-Barre syndrome, Meniere's disease, radiculopathy), endocrine diseases (including hyperthyroidism and Basedow's disease), hematological diseases (including pure red cell aplasia, aplastic anemia, hypoplastic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, agranulocytosis and anerythroplasia), bone diseases (including osteoporosis), respiratory disease (including sarcoidosis, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia), skin diseases (including dermatomyositis, leukoderma vulgaris, ichthyosis vulgaris, photoallergic sensitivity and cutanous T cell lymphoma), genitals (orchiitis, vulvitis), circulatory diseases (including arteriosclerosis, polyarteritis nodosa, vasculitis, Buerger's disease, and myocardosis), collagen disorders (including scleroderma, aortitis syndrome, eosinophilic fascitis, Wegener's granulomatosis, Sjogren's syndrome, periodontal diseases), kidney diseases (including nephrotic syndrome, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, Goodpasture's syndrome) and muscular dystrophy. The compounds may also be useful for the treatment of diseases including intestinal inflammations/allergies such as Coeliac disease, proctitis, ulcerative colitis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, mastocytosis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and food-related allergic diseases which have symptomatic manifestations remote from the gastrointestinal tract, for example migraine, rhinitis and eczema. Further, the invention can be used for treating preventing or treating inflammation of mucosa or blood vessels (such as leukotriene-mediated diseases), gastric ulcers, vascular damage caused by ischemic diseases and thrombosis, ischemic bowl diseases. Further, the invention will be useful for treating multidrug resistance of tumor cells, (i.e. enhancing the activity and/or sensitivity of chemotherapeutic agents).

The compounds may be useful for the treatment and prevention of hepatic diseases such as immunogenic diseases (e.g. chronic autoimmune liver diseases including autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis and sclerosing cholangitis), partial liver resection, acute liver necrosis (e.g. necrosis caused by toxins, viral hepatitis, shock or anoxia), B-virus hepatitis, nonA/nonB hepatitis, cirrhosis. A. Compounds Useable in Accordance with this Invention:

As stated in the above-set-forth summary of the invention, the compounds of this invention are represented by Formula I below,

-   -   Wherein,     -   X, Y and Z are same or different and are independently selected         from CH₂, O, S, NR₁, N═CH, CH═N and R₂—C═C—R₃, where R₂ and R₃         are H or may combine to form a saturated or unsaturated         carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, optionally substituted with         one or more R groups;     -   R₁ is selected from H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl,         aryl, acyl and aroyl, optionally substituted with hydroxy,         amino, substituted amino, cyano, alkoxy, halogen, trihaloalkyl,         nitro, thio, alkylthio, carboxy and alkoxycarbonyl groups;     -   R is selected from H, halogen, trihaloalkyl, hydroxy, acyloxy,         alkoxy, alkenyloxy, thio, alkylthio, nitro, cyano, ureido, acyl,         carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, N—(R₄)(R₅) and saturated or         unsaturated, chiral or achiral, cyclic or acyclic, straight or         branched hydrocarbyl group with from 1 to 20 carbon atoms,         optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, trihaloalkyl,         alkylthio, alkoxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, oxoalkyl, cyano and         N—(R₄)(R₅) group,     -   R₄ and R₅ are selected from H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,         cycloalkyl and acyl or R₄ and R₅ may combine to form a ring,         wherein a carbon may be optionally substituted by a heteroatom         selected from O, S or N—R₆,     -   R₆ is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl or         carboxyalkyl,     -   n is 0-5; m is 1 or 2; with the proviso that     -   when m is 1, Q is selected from OH, CN, carboxyalkyl,         N—(R₇)(R₈), where R₇ and R₈ are selected from H, lower alkyl         (1-4C), cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, amido, or R₇ and R₈ may combine         to form a saturated or unsaturated heterocylic ring and         optionally substituted with up to 3 additional heteroatoms         selected from N, O, and S; or     -   —NH-heterocycle, where the heterocycle is represented by         thiazole, oxazole, isoxazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, and purine         and     -   where U and V are selected from H and O; and     -   when m is 2, Q is a spacer of from 2-10 carbons either as a         straight or branched, chiral or achiral, cyclic or acyclic         hydrocarbon group, such as phenyl.     -   In the most preferred embodiment of this invention,     -   X, Y, and Z are R₂—C═C—R₃, where R₂ and R₃ are H;     -   R is selected from H and halogen, preferably, F and Cl;     -   m is 1; and     -   Q is —N—(R₇)(R₈), where R₇ and R₈ are selected from H, acyl,         amido, and R₇ and R₈ combine to form a saturated or unsaturated         heterocyclic ring, optionally substituted with up to three         heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, for example, pyrrolidine,         piperidine, pyrazole, oxazole, isoxazole, tetrazole, azepine,         etc., which may be optionally substituted with a lower alkyl or         amino group.

Some of the preferred compounds covered by Formula I include,

-   (2-chlorophenyl)diphenyl methanol (T3) -   (2-thienyl)diphenyl methanol (T9) -   N-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-urea (T33) -   1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrrole (T44) -   N-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-N-(2-pyrimidyl)amine (T68) -   (2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl amine (T41) -   N-(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl acetamide (T75) -   2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-diphenylacetonitrile (T26) -   2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2,2-diphenylacetonitrile (T39) -   2-[(2-chlorophenyl)(diphenyl)methyl]-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione     (T71) -   1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-tetrazole (T84).

In another preferred embodiment having the general Formula I X, Y, and Z are each R₂—C═C—R₃ (where R₂ and R₃ are H;

-   R is selected from H and halogen, preferably, F and Cl); m is 2; and -   Q is a spacer of from 2-10 carbons either as a straight or branched     hydrocarbon chain, or containing a hydrocarbon ring such as phenyl.     Some of the preferred compounds covered by this embodiment include: -   N,N-1,2-ditritylamino ethane (T21) -   1,4-ditritylaminomethyl benzene (T23) -   N,N-1,3-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]amino propane (T49).

Further in accordance with the invention, preferred compounds of this invention having the general Formula I above, are a group of triarylmethyl-1H-pyrazole compounds that have structural Formula I-A below:

-   -   Wherein:     -   X, Y, and Z are R₂—C═C—R₃, where R₂ and R₃ are H;     -   R is selected from H and halogen, preferably, F and Cl;

Preferred compounds covered by Formula I-A include,

-   1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T34) -   1-[(2-fluorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T46) -   1-[(4-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T13) -   1-[(2-fluorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T28)     B. Synthesis of the Compounds:

The compounds of this invention may be prepared as outlined in Scheme 1 and Example 1. The individual steps are described below in the examples. The synthetic procedures described here are exemplary and may be modified by those skilled in the art .

C. Preferred Routes of Administration:

The compounds described herein, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof, can be delivered to a patient using a wide variety of routes or modes of administration. Suitable routes of administration include, but are not limited to, inhalation, transdermal, oral, rectal, transmucosal, intestinal and parenteral administration, including intramuscular, subcutaneous and intravenous injections.

The compounds described herein, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof, may be administered singly or in combination with other therapeutic agents, e.g. analgesics, antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, steroids, and other immunosuppressive drugs like cyclosporin A, rapamycin, FK506 or Kv1.3 selective blockers. At least one of the preferred compounds, 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole designated as T34 in Appendix A, may be administered per se or in the form of a pharmaceutical composition wherein the active compound is in admixture with one or more physiologically acceptable carriers, excipients or diluents. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in accordance with the present invention may be formulated in conventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries, which facilitate processing of the active compounds into preparations, which can be used pharmaceutically. Proper formulation is dependent on the route of administration chosen. For parenteral administration (bolus injection or continuous infusion), the agents of the invention may be formulated in water-soluble form in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hank's solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological saline buffer. Additionally, suspensions of the compounds may be prepared as oily injections with fatty oils, synthetic fatty acid esters, or liposomes. The compounds may also be formulated as a depot preparation. For oral administration, the compounds can be formulated readily by combining the active compound with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art. Such carriers enable the compounds of the invention to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions and the like, for oral ingestion for patients to be treated. Suitable excipients are, in particular, fillers such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol: cellulose preparations such as, for example maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, gelatin, gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone.

C. EXAMPLES

The following examples serve to illustrate various aspects of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention to those embodiments so exemplified.

Example 1 Synthesis of Triarylmethanols (General Method A)

25 mmol of magnesium turnings and a catalytic amount of iodine to initiate the reaction were stirred in 50 ml of anhydrous diethyl ether. Then, a solution containing 25 mmol of the appropriate aryl bromide in anhydrous diethyl ether (50 ml) was slowly added allowing a gentle reflux. Once the addition was complete the mixture was heated at reflux until all the magnesium was consumed. Next, a solution of the required benzophenone (25 mmol) in anhydrous diethyl ether (50 ml) was slowly added. The resulting mixture was heated at reflux for 5-12 h, then cooled to 0° C. and poured into 100 ml of cold water. To dissolve the precipitating magnesium hydroxide the mixture was acidified with concentrated HCl. The organic phase was separated, and the aqueous phase was extracted with diethyl ether. The combined organic phases were washed with sodium bicarbonate solution (10%) and then dried over sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvent gave the respective triarylmethanol either as creamy solid or as an oil, which normally was recrystallized from petroleum ether (40-60° C.) several times.

Example 2 Preparation of (2-Chlorophenyl)diphenyl methanol (Compound T3)

Following the procedure outlined in Example 1, 1.3 g (52 mmol) of magnesium turnings, 10.0 g (52 mmol) of 1-bromo-2-chlorobenzene and 9.4 g (52 mmol) benzophenone gave 9.81 g (64%) of (2-Chlorophenyl) diphenyl methanol (Compound T3), mp: 91° C.

Example 3

Following the procedure outlined in Example 1, the following triarylmethanols (Table 1) were prepared. TABLE 1 Designation on Melting Triarylmethanol Compound Appendix A Yield Point (4-Chlorophenyl)diphenyl methanol T1  56% 82° C. (3-Chlorophenyl)diphenyl methanol T2  52% 53° C. Bis-(4-chlorophenyl)phenyl methanol T4  56% 86° C. Bis-(3-chlorophenyl)phenyl methanol T5  52% oil (2-Thienyl)diphenyl methanol T9  64% 129° C.  (4-Fluorophenyl)diphenyl methanol T12 58% 120.5° C.   (4-Fluorophenyl)(2-thienyl)phenyl T14 62% 75° C. methanol Bis-(4-methoxyphenyl)phenyl T15 62% sticky dark methanol red paste Tris-(4-methoxyphenyl) methanol T16 48% 75° C. Di-(2-thienyl)phenyl methanol T35 54% 86° C. (2-Fluorophenyl)diphenyl methanol T36 69% 116° C.  (2-Chlorophenyl)(2-thienyl)phenyl T43 58% 90.5° C.   methanol Diphenyl(2-trifluoromethylphenyl) T54 57% 111° C.  methanol Diphenyl(4-trifluoromethylphenyl) T55 68% oil methanol Diphenyl(3-trifluoromethylphenyl) T56 62% 52° C. methanol

Example 4 Synthesis of Triaryl Chlorides (General Method B)

To a stirred suspension of 20 mmol of the corresponding triarylmethanol in 100 ml of petroleum ether (40-60° C.) was added dropwise an excess of freshly distilled thionyl chloride. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min and then heated under reflux for 1 h. Excess thionyl chloride was removed by concentrating to dryness in vacuo. The residue was suspended in 100 ml of petroleum ether and left in the refrigerator overnight. The resulting crystals were filtered off and thoroughly washed with petroleum ether. To avoid hydrolysis of these sensitive triaryl chlorides, they were immediately used for further reactions after being characterized by melting point and mass spectrometry.

Example 5 Synthesis of (2-Chlorophenyl)diphenyl chloromethane

Following the procedure outlined in Example 4, 5.00 g (17.1 mmol) of (2-chlorophenyl)diphenyl methanol, designated as T-3 on Appendix A, was treated with 2.5 ml thionyl chloride (34 mmol) according to general method B to give 4.39 g (82%) of (2-Chlorophenyl)diphenyl chloromethane, mp: 131° C.

Example 6 Synthesis of Triarylmethylamines (General Method C)

To a solution of the appropriate triaryl chloride (5 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (100 ml) were added the desired amine or urea (5 mmol) and triethylamine (5 mmol) as proton acceptor. The resulting mixture was stirred and heated at reflux for 24 h. Evaporation of the solvent afforded a creamy residue, which was dissolved in 200 ml of methylene chloride. The mixture was washed two times with 50 ml of water, dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was recrystallized from petroleum ether (40-60° C.)/methylene chloride.

Example 7 Preparation of 1-Tritylpyrrolidine (Compound T7)

2.00 g (7.2 mmol) of trityl chloride was treated with 0.51 g (7.2 mmol) pyrrolidine and 0.72 g (7.2 mmol) triethylamine according to General Method C in Example 6 to give 1.86 g (82%) of 1-tritylpyrrolidine (T7), mp: 126° C.

Example 8

Following the procedure in Example 6, the following compounds (Table 2) were prepared. TABLE 2 Melting Triarylmethylamines from an amine or urea Number Yield Point 1-Trityl-1H-pyrrole T10 79% 243° C. N-trityl urea T24 58% 238° C. N-[(4-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl] urea T29 62% 228° C. N-[(4-Fluorophenyl)diphenylmethyl] urea T31 66% 222° C. N-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl] urea T33 68% 243° C. 1[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrrole T44 67% 184° C. N-[(2-Fluorophenyl)diphenylmethyl] urea T45 66% 225° C.

Example 9 Synthesis of Triarylmethylamines with a Heterocyclic Amine (General Method D)

Especially with substituted pyrazoles and pyrimidines General Method C tended to give unsatisfactory yields and oily, dark byproducts, which where extremely difficult to remove even by column chromatography. Therefore excessive amine was used as a hydrogen acceptor instead of triethylamine. To a solution of the required triaryl chloride (5 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (100 ml) was added an excess of the required amine (10-20 mmol). After stirring under reflux for 8 h the mixture was poured into cold water (400 ml) and kept at 4° C. for 2 h. The precipitate formed was collected by vacuum filtration, thoroughly washed with water to remove any of the remaining amine, and recrystallized from ethanol.

Example 10 Preparation of 1-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (Compound T34)

1.50 g (4.8 mmol) of 2-chlorotrityl chloride obtained under Example 5 was reacted with 1.00 g (15 mmol) of pyrazole according to general method D to give 1.26 g (76%) of 1-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole, mp: 135° C.

Example 11

Following the procedure in Example 9, the following compounds (Table 3) were prepared. TABLE 3 Designation on Melting Triarylmethylamines from Heterocyclic Amines Appendix A Yield Point 1-Trityl-1H-pyrazole T11 82% 202° C. 1-[(4-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole T13 87% 133° C. 1-[Tris(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-1H-pyrazole T19 82% 158° C. 1-[(4-Fluorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole T28 84% 145° C. 1-[Diphenyl(2-thienyl)methyl]-1H-imidazole T37 78% 176° C. 1-[Diphenyl(2-thienyl)methyl]-1H-pyrazole T38 83% 157° C. 1-[(2-Fluorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole T46 84% 192° C. N-(1,3-thiazol-2yl)-N-tritylamine T57 79% 213° C. 1-{Diphenyl[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl}-1H- T58 46% 114° C. pyrazole 1-{Diphenyl[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl}-3- T59 62% 107° C. (trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole 1-{Diphenyl[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl}-1H- T60 65% 135° C. pyrazole N-Diphenyl[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl-N- T61 58% 166° C. (1,3-thiazol-2-yl)amine 1-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-3,5-dimethyl-1H- T62 68% 195° C. pyrazole 1-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-3-methyl-1H- T63 78% 118° C. pyrazole N-[(4-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-N-(1,3- T64 62% 156° C. thiazol-2yl)amine 1-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-3- T65 64% 139° C. (trifluorormethyl)-1H-pyrazole N-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-N-(1,3- T66 72% 152° C. thiazol-2yl)amine N-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-N-(4- T67 92% 115° C. pyridyl)amine N-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-N-(2- T68 64% 162° C. pyrimidyl)amine N-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-N-(2- T69 67% 115° C. pyridyl)amine N-[(4-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-N-(4- T70 81% 214° C. pyridyl)amine 2-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-isoindole- T71 67% 168° C. 1,3(2H)-dione N-Diphenyl[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl-N- T72 65% 164° C. (1,3-thiazol-2yl)amine N-Diphenyl[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl-N-(2- T73 78% 133° C. pyrimidinyl)amine N-[(2-Fluorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-N-(1,3- T78 58% 169° C. thiazol-2yl)amine N-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-N-(4-methyl- T79 49% 168° C. 1,3-thiazol-2yl)amine N-{5-[(4-Nitrophenyl)sulfonyl]-1,3-thiazol-2yl}- T81 73% 135° C. N[(2-chlorophenyl)(diphenyl)methyl]amine 1-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-1,2,3,4- T84 72% 129° C. tetrazole 1-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-1,3- T85 68% 168° C. benzimidazole

Example 12 Preparation of N,N-1,2-Ditritylamino ethane (Compound T21)

2.0 g (7.2 mmol) of trityl chloride, 0.21 g (3.6 mmol) of 1,2-diaminoethane and 0.72 g (7.2 mmol) of triethyl amine were dissolved in methylene chloride and heated under reflux for 8 hours as described under Example 6 (Ng 1995, Tetrahedron 51: 7883) to yield 1.03 g (53%) of N,N-1,2-ditritylamino ethane, mp: 172° C.

Example 13

The procedure in Example 12 was followed to obtain the following compounds (Table 4). TABLE 4 Melting Bis-triarylmethyldiamines from Diamines Number Yield Point N,N-1,3-Ditritylamino propane T22 58% 179° C. 1,4-Ditritylaminomethyl benzene T23 64% 201° C. N,N-1,2-[(2- T48 62% 228° C. Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]amino ethane N,N-1,3-[(2- T49 58% 198° C. Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]amino propane

Example 14 Preparation of (2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl amine (Compound T41)

To a solution of 1.50 g (4.79 mmol) of (2-Chlorophenyl)diphenyl chloromethane, obtained under Example 5, in 100 ml of ethyl ether was added 100 ml of 25% ammonia solution and the resulting mixture was vigorously stirred at room temperature for 24 hours (Casadio 1973, J. Pharm. Sci. 62: 773). The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with ether. The combined organic phases were thoroughly washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The oily residue was crystallized from petroleum ether (40-60° C.) to give 1.10 g (78%) of the product, mp: 98° C.

Example 15

Following the procedure set forth in Example 14, the following three compounds were prepared (Table 5). TABLE 5 Melting Triarylmethylamines from Ammonia Number Yield Point (4-Fluorophenyl)diphenylmethyl amine T42 81% 62° C. (2-Fluorophenyl)diphenylmethyl amine T47 79% 84° C. (2-Trifluoromethylphenyl)diphenylmethyl T82 62% 106° C.  amine

Example 16 Preparation of N-(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl acetamide (T75)

2.5 g (8.51 mmol) of (2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl amine obtained under Example 14 was acetylated with 30 ml of freshly distilled acetic anhydride. The resulting mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 4 hours, poured into 200 ml of cold water and left in the refrigerator overnight. The precipitate was collected by vacuum filtration and recrystallized from ethanol to yield 1.17 g (41%) of the product, mp: 181° C.

Example 17

Following the procedure in Example 16 the following N-triarylmethyl acetamides were prepared from the corresponding amines obtained under Example 15 (Table 6). TABLE 6 N-Triarylmethylacetamides from corresponding Melting Amines Number Yield Point N-(2-Fluorophenyl)diphenylmethyl acetamide T76 73% 215° C. N-(2-Trifluoromethylphenyl)diphenylmethyl T83 83% 185° C. acetamide

Example 18 Preparation of 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2,2-diphenylacetonitrile (T26)

2-(4-Chlorophenyl) 2,2-diphenylacetonitrile was synthesized by carefully triturating 1.50 g (4.8 mmol) of 4-chlorotrityl chloride with 1.00 g (11 mmol) of copper cyanide and the resulting mixture was heated for 4 hours at 150° C. without a solvent. After cooling 50 ml of toluene was added, the mixture was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue was recrystallized from petroleum ether (40-60° C.) to give 0.66 g (45%) of the triarylmethyl acetonitrile derivative.

Example 19

The following triarylmethyl acetonitriles were prepared by the procedure outlined in Example 18 (Table 7) TABLE 7 Triarylmethylacetonitriles from corresponding Melting Chlorides Number Yield Point 2-(4-Fluorophenyl) 2,2-diphenylacetonitrile T27 52%  76° C. 2-(2-Chlorophenyl) 2,2-diphenylacetonitrile T39 52% 143° C. 2-(2-Fluorophenyl) 2,2-diphenylacetonitrile T40 63% 144° C.

Compounds T39 and T40 have been disclosed in Brugnara, PCT Application WO 97/34589. Compounds T50 (4-pyridyl, diphenyl methanol), T51 (2,2,2-Triphenyl propionic acid), T52 [(S)-(−)-α,α-diphenyl-2-pyrrolidine methanol] and T53 [(R)-(+)-α,α-diphenyl-2-pyrrolidine methanol] used in the biological testing are commercially available from Aldrich Chemical. Co., Milwaukee, Wis. 53201, USA.

The following example provides an exemplary, but not limiting, formulation, for administering the compounds of the invention to mammals. Any of the compounds described herein, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof, may be formulated as illustrated in the following example.

Example 20 Gelatin Capsules

Acid-resistant coated hard gelatin capsules are prepared using the following ingredients: Compound T34 100 mg/capsule Starch dried 200 mg/capsule Magnesium stearate  10 mg/capsule The above ingredients are mixed and filled into acid-resistant coated hard gelatin capsules in 310 mg quantities.

Example 21 In Vitro Activity

The assays are generally applicable for demonstrating the in vitro activity of compounds of General Formula (I).

A) Block of IKCa1

This example demonstrates the ability of the exemplary compounds, to inhibit the cloned human IKCa1 channel. The cloning of human IKCa1 has been previously reported (Fanger 1999, J. Biol. Chem. 274: 5746). COS-7 cells, maintained in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) containing 10% heat-inactivated fetal calf serum, 4 mM L-glutamine and 1 mM Na⁺ pyruvate, were transiently transfected with hIKCa1.

Electrophysiological experiments were carried out in the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique using an EPC-9 amplifier (HEKA Elektronik, Lambrecht Germany) interfaced to a computer running acquisition and analysis software (Pulse and Pulsfit; HEKA Elektronik). Pipettes were pulled from soft glass capillaries, coated with Sylgard (Dow-Corning, Midland, Mich.), and fire polished to resistances of 2.0-4.5 MΩ measured in the bath. COS-7 cells were trypsinized and plated on glass coverslips 3 h before measurement. For measurements of IK_(Ca) currents an internal pipette solution containing 145 mM K⁺ aspartate, 2 mM MgCl₂, 10 mM HEPES, 10 mM K₂EGTA and 8.5 mM CaCl₂ (rendering 1 μM of free Ca⁺⁺), adjusted to pH 7.2 with NaOH, with an osmolarity of 290-310 mosM was used. To prevent activation of the native chloride channels in COS-7 cells an aspartate Ringer solution was used as an external solution (160 mM Na⁺ aspartate, 4.5 mM KCl, 2 mM CaCl₂, 1 mM MgCl₂, 5 mM 5 HEPES, adjusted to pH 7.4 with NaOH, with an osmolarity of 290-310 mosM). 200 ms voltage ramps from −120 mV to 40 mV every 10 s were used. The holding potential in all experiments was −80 mV. Series resistance compensation was not employed. The reduction of slope conductance at −80 mV was used to determine the K_(d)-value by fitting the values to the Hill equation with a Hill coefficient of unity.

The results of this assay are provided in TABLE 8, below. TABLE 8 K_(d) values for block of IKCa1 stably transfected into COS-7 cells Compound Designation in Appendix A K_(d) [nM] T1  550 T2  530 T3  520 (±30) T4  No effect at 1 μM T5  No effect at 1 μM T7  30 000   T8  No effect at 10 μM T9  1500  T10 28 000   T11 2500 (±400) T12 700 T13  90 (±10) T14 800 T15 10000  T16 10000  T17 35 000   T18 40 000   T19 No effect at 1 μM T20 No effect at 1 μM T23 No effect at 1 μM T24 8000  T26 750 T27 800 T28 200 T29 15000  T30 10000  T31 8000  T34 20 (±3) T35 9000  T36 700 T37 1000  T38 1100 (±100) T39  60 T40  60 T41 5000  T42 5000  T43 750 T45 1000  T46 40 (±5) T47 2000  T48 30000  T49 32000  T54 700 T55 820 T56 650 T57 n.d. T58 5000  T59 25 000 (±3)    T60 1500 (±0.3)  T61 35 000   T62 12 000   T63 1100 (±0.3)  T64 20 000   T65 2000 (±0.5)  T66 15 000   T67 30 000   T68 900 T69 28 000   T70 11 000   T71 No effect at 10 μM T72 25 000   T73 15 000   T74 600 T75 1200  T76 1200  T77 800 T78 12 000   T79 8000  T81 15 000   T82 2500  T83 1500  T84 45 (±7) T85 No effect at 1 μM T86 1500 (±500) B) Selectivity of Clotrimazole and 1-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T34) for IKCa1 Over Other Ion Channels

1-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T34) was judged to be the most potent compound of the exemplary compounds covered by General Formula (I) and was further investigated for its selectivity over a whole range of other ion channels. Clotrimazole, the imidazole currently under clinical investigation for the treatment of sickle cell disease and diarrhea was used as a control. 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T34) was also investigated for its ability to block native IKCa1 currents in activated human T-lymphocytes and in the human colonic epithelial cell line T84.

L929 cells stably expressing mKv1.1, rKv1.2, mKv1.3, and mKv3.1 and MEL cells stably expressing hKv1.5 have been previously described (Grissmer 1994, Mol. Pharmacol. 45: 1227). hKv1.4 and rKv4.2 were stably expressed in LTK (HK1-7). Channel expression was induced 8-12 h before the electrophysiological experiments by 4 μM dexamethasone (Sigma). HEK-293 cells stably expressing the skeletal muscle sodium channel hSkM1 (SCN4A) were generated in the laboratory of Dr. F. Lehmann-Horn. HEK-293 cells stably expressing hSIoα were obtained from Dr. Andrew Tinker (Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University College London). L929, MEL, LTK and HEK cells were maintained in DMEM containing 10% heat-inactivated fetal calf serum (Summit Biotechnology, Fort Collins, Colo.) and 250 μg/ml G418 (Life Technologies, Inc.). Rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells were maintained in Eagle's minimum essential medium with 2 mM L-glutamine and 10% fetal calf serum. CHO cell were maintained in F12K media (ATCC). Human leukemic Jurkat E6-1 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum and 1 mM L-glutamine. T84 cells were maintained in a 1:1 mixture of Ham's F12 medium and DMEM with 2.5 mM L-glutamine and 10% fetal calf serum.

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from heparinized blood samples of healthy volunteers using a lymphocyte separation medium (Accuspin System-Histopaque-1077, Sigma Diagnostics) and maintained in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, 1 mM L-glutamine, 1 mM Na pyruvate, 1% non essential amino acids. Purified T-lymphocytes were prepared by passage through a nylon wool column. Activated T cell blasts were prepared by treating the resting cells with 1 μg/ml phytohemagglutinin (PHA-P, DIFCO, Detroit, Mich.).

Recordings from the Jurkat SK_(Ca) channel were made in K⁺ aspartate Ringer (Na⁺ was replaced by K⁺) with the same internal pipette solution. Recordings form the RBL inward rectifier (rKir2.1) were made in aspartate Ringer with a K⁺ aspartate based pipette solution containing 50 nM of free Ca⁺⁺. No ATP was added to the pipette solution, because within 15 min of recording we witnessed no significant channel rundown. For both SK_(Ca) and inward rectifier currents the reduction of slope conductance at −110 mV from 200 ms voltage ramps from −120 mV to 40 mV every 10 s was taken as a measure of channel block. BK_(Ca) currents were elicited by 200 ms voltage ramps from −80 to 80 mV every 30 s. In aspartate Ringer with 1 μM of free Ca⁺⁺ in the pipette solution currents turned on at −20 mV and the reduction of slope conductance at 35 mV was used to evaluate channel block. For measurements of Kv currents cells were bathed in normal Ringer solution (160 mM NaCl, 4.5 mM KCl, 2mM CaCl₂, 1 mM MgCl₂, 10 mM HEPES) and an internal pipette solution containing 134 mM KF, 2 mM MgCl₂, 10 mM HEPES, 10 mM EGTA, adjusted to pH 7.2 with NaOH, with an osmolarity of 290-310 mosM, was used. For recordings from Kv1.1, Kv1.3, Kv1.4, Kv1.5, Kv3.1 and Kv4.2 the voltage was stepped to 40 mV from the holding potential for 200 ms every 30 s. K_(d)-values were determined by fitting the Hill equation to the reduction of peak current. For Kv1.2, because of its “use-dependent” activation, a different pulse protocol was used: 300 ms every 10 sec, and the reduction of the mean of the current between 80-100% of the pulse duration was fitted to the Hill equation. For sodium channel recordings we employed voltage steps to −15 mV every 10 sec. Series resistance compensation (60-80%) was used if currents exceeded 1 nA. Capacitative and leak currents were subtracted using the P/8 procedure. Whole-cell recordings of monovalent currents through Jurkat CRAC channels with Na⁺ as the charge carrier were made as previously described (Kerschbaum 1999, Science 283: 836). For measurements of swelling-activated mini chloride currents (Ross 1994, Biophys. J. 66: 169) 3 days activated human T-lymphocytes were bathed in normal Ringer solution (290 mosM) and a hypertonic internal pipette solution containing 160 mM Cs glutamate, 2 mM MgCl₂, 10 mM HEPES, 0.1 mM CaCl₂, 1.1 mM EGTA, 4 mM Na₂ATP and 100 mM sucrose, adjusted to pH 7.2 with CsOH, with an osmolarity of 420 mosM, was used. Chloride currents were elicited by the same voltage ramps as IK_(Ca) currents and blocking potency of the compounds on the slope conduction at −40 mV was evaluated between 300 and 900 s after break-in. A simple syringe-driven perfusion system was used to exchange the bath solution in the recording chamber.

The results of this assay are provided in TABLE 9, below. The effect of 100 nM of 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T-34 in Appendix A) on cloned and native IKCa1 currents is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in TABLE 9 and FIGS. 1 a-1 c, 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T34) is a highly potent and selective blocker of both cloned and native IKCa1 currents. Contrary to Clotrimazole, 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T34) does not inhibit the activity of CYP3A4, the major xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme of human liver (see TABLE 9). TABLE 9 Channel Clotrimazole [nM] T34 [nM] IK_(Ca) hIKCa1    70 ± 10 (n = 9)    20 ± 3 (n = 15) lymphocyte IK   100    25 ± 5 (n = 9) T84 IK    90 ± 15 (n = 9)    22 ± 10 (n = 9) K mKv1.1 10 000 ± 850 (n = 9)   9500 ± 1000 (n = 9) rKv1.2   5000 ± 730 (n = 9)   4500 ± 520 (n = 9) mKv1.3   6000 ± 440 (n = 9)   5000 ± 350 (n = 9) hKv1.4   6000 ± 520 (n = 9)   7500 ± 410 (n = 9) hKv1.5   8000 ± 890 (n = 9)   7000 ± 620 (n = 9) mKv3.1 33 000 ± 4000 (n = 9) 30 000 ± 5000 (n = 9) rKv4.2   8000 ± 950 (n = 9)   6000 ± 870 (n = 9) Jurkat-SK 22 000 ± 1200 (n = 6) 23 000 ± 2000 (n = 6) BK (hSloα) 24 000 ± 2000 (n = 9) 25 000 ± 1800 (n = 9) rKir2.1 no effect at 10 μM (n = no effect at 10 μM (n = 3) Na HSKM1   7000 ± 550 (n = 9)   8000 ± 600 (n = 9) Ca Jurkat-CRAC no effect at 10 μM (n = no effect at 10 μM (n = 2) Cl Lymphocyte swelling- not done 10 000 ± 3000 (n = 4) activated COS-7 no effect at 10 μM (n = no effect at 10 μM (n = 5) EC₅₀ for inhibition    30 No inhibitory of CYP3A4 (99% inhibition at 100 effect at 10 μM (n = 2) C) Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 3A4 Catalytic Activities by a Single Concentration of 10 Test Substances

The test substances shown in Table 8 were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on the catalytic activity of human cytochrome P450 enzyme. Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is involved in many drug-drug interactions and in many other pathways in the body including the catabolism of steroids and xenobiotics. Inhibition of this enzyme was measured in 96 well plates with 7-benzyloxy-4-trifluoro-methylcoumarin (BFC) as the substrate and cDNA-derived enzymes in microsomes prepared from baculovirus-infected insect cells.

The inhibition study consisted of the determination of inhibition by the test substance on CYP3A4 catalytic activity. A single concentration of each model substrate (approximately the apparent K_(m)) and one test substance concentration (10 μM), were tested in duplicate. The compounds were prepared as 10 mM stock solutions in acetonitrile. Metabolism of the model substrate was assayed by the production of 7-hydroxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin metabolite. The metabolite was detected by fluorescence.

Table 10 below provides a list of the name of enzymes examined, the catalog number of the microsomes used as a source of the enzyme, the concentration of the model substrate used, the amount of enzyme used, the final buffer concentration, and the positive control compound. TABLE 10 Enzyme CYP3A4 Catalog Number P202 Substrate BFC Substrate Concentration  50 μM Pmole Enzyme per Well 1-2 Potassium Phosphate Buffer Concentration 200 mM Positive Control (Concentration) ketoconazole (5 μM)

Assays were conducted in 96 well microtiter plates. The BFC substrate was initially prepared in acetonitrile. The final concentration of the substrate was 50 μM, which is below the apparent K_(m). Six wells were used for one test. Wells 1 and 2 contained a 10 μM concentration of the test substance (except clotrimazole, which had 0.1 μM), and wells 3 and 4 contained no test substance and wells 5 and 6 were blanks for background fluorescence (stop solution added before the enzyme). For the positive controls, 12 wells in a row were used for one test. The positive control inhibitor/enzyme combination was examined in duplicate rows. Wells 1 to 8 contained serial 1:3 dilutions of the inhibitors. The highest inhibitor concentration were as described in the table above. Wells 9 and 10 contained no inhibitor and wells 11 and 12 were blanks for background fluorescence (stop solution added before the enzyme).

After buffer, cofactors and inhibitor addition, the plates were pre-warmed to 37° C. Incubations were initiated by the addition of pre-warmed enzyme and substrate. The final cofactor concentrations were 1.3 mM NADP, 3.3 mM glucose-6-phosphate and 0.4 U/ml glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. The final incubation volume was 0.2 ml. Incubations were carried out for 30 minutes [CYP3A4 (BFC)] and stopped by the addition of 0.075 ml of 80% acetonitrile-20% 0.5M Tris. Fluorescence per well was measured using a BMG FLUOstar fluorescence plate reader. The BFC metabolite 7-hydroxy-4-trifluoromethyl-coumarin was measured using an excitation wavelength of 410 nm and emission wavelength of 538 nm.

All results listed in Table 11 are consistent with a properly functioning model with 0.1 μM of clotrimazole producing 99% of inhibition. The ambivalent effects (e.g. inhibition or activation) on CYP3A4 catalytic activity by some compounds is commonly observed with CYP3A4. One explanation for this is that the enzyme is capable of accommodating 2 or more compounds simultaneously, one of which may activate, or inhibit metabolism of the other (Thummel 1998, Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 38: 389). Although activation of CYP3A4 enzymatic activity is commonly observed in vitro, to our knowledge, this has not been demonstrated in vivo in humans. It appears that the compounds designated as T3, T34, T58 and T75 on Appendix A have the potential for activation metabolism of compounds that are substrates for CYP3A4. TABLE 11 Percent of inhibition of catalytic activity of CY3A4 Test compound concentration % inhibition T3  10 μM −30.5 T34 10 μM −77.5 T39 10 μM 10 T40 10 μM 9 T58 10 μM −26 T66 10 μM 86.5 T67 10 μM 74 T74 10 μM 4 T75 10 μM −54 clotrimazole 0.1 μM  99 D) In Vitro Toxicity

The in vitro toxicity was performed as follows. Jurkat E6-1, MEL, C₂F₃, NGP, NLF cells and human T-lymphocytes were seeded at 5×10⁵ cells/ml, and L929, COS-7, CHO and RBL cells were seeded at 10⁵ cells/ml in twelve-well plates. Drug (2 or 5 μM) was added in a final DMSO concentration of 0.1%. After 48 h of incubation at 37° C. with 5% CO₂, cells were harvested by sucking them off the plates (suspension cells) or by trypsinization (adherent cell lines). Cells were centrifuged, resuspended in 0.5 ml PBS containing 1 μg/ml propidium iodide (PI), and red fluorescence measured on a FACScan flow cytometer after 20 min, 10⁴ cells of every sample being analyzed. The percentage of dead cells was determined by their PI uptake. Two controls for every cell line (one in medium and one with 0.1% DMSO) were also analyzed.

The results of this in vitro toxicity assay are shown in TABLE 12. 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T34 in Appendix A), at a concentration 100-250 times the K_(d) for IKCa1 channel block, did not reduce cell viability in any of the ten cell lines examined. TABLE 12 Cells* Control control 0.1% DMSO 2 μM T34 5 μM T34 T-lymphocytes 6.1 7.1 6.2 7.0 Jurkat E6-1 3.2 2.3 2.5 3.2 MEL 5.1 4.8 6.2 5.8 L929 9.6 7.8 4.6 7.5 COS-7 4.5 4.0 3.6 4.5 CHO 4.6 5.6 5.6 4.7 RBL-2H3 5.5 7.6 7.9 8.8 C₂F₃ 17.4 14.3 15.8 12.8 NLF 12.8 9.1 10.8 10.8 NGP 8.0 4.2 10.9 5.9 *MEL, murine erythroleukemia cells; L929, murine fibrosarcoma cell; COS-7, SV40 transformed African green monkey kidney; CHO, Chinese hamster ovary cells; RBL-2H3, rat basophilic leukemia cells; Jurkat E6-1, human leukemic T-cell line; C₂F₃ human myoblasts; NGP and NLF human neuroblastoma cell lines. E) Acute in Vivo Toxicity

An ISO acute systemic toxicity study was performed in CF-1 BR mice (17-19 g) according to the guidelines of the United States Pharmacopeia XXII. Five mice were injected intravenously with a single 0.9-1.0 ml (50 ml/kg) dose of 0.5 mg/kg 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T34) (29 μM in mammalian Ringer solution with 1% ethanol and 2.5% bovine serum albumin). Mice were observed for adverse effects immediately after dosing, at 4 h after injection and daily for 7 days. Five control mice were injected with an equal volume of the vehicle. The mice were weighed at the beginning of the study and at its termination.

The results clearly showed that there was no mortality and all animals appeared clinically normal during the 7-day study. The body weight data of the test compound treated group (wt on day 1: 17.8 g; wt on day 7: 27.0 g) were similar to controls (day 1: 17.4 g; day 7: 23.4 g) during the study. These data, taken together with the data from the cell viability assay, suggest that 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T34) was not toxic at ˜100-1000 times the pharmacological dose thus exhibiting a very good therapeutic index.

F) Hydrolytic Stability of 1-[(2-Chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T34) vs. Clotrimazole

Applicants investigated the stability of 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T34 in Appendix A) against hydrolysis at pH 7.4 and at pH 5.0. The resulting concentrations of compound T34 and its expected degradation product (2-chlorophenyl)diphenyl methanol (T3) in analogy to clotrimazole were determined by HPLC.

To access oral bioavailability the stability of 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (T34 in Appendix A) under acidic conditions was determined at pH 1 in artificial stomach fluid (DAB9).

A Waters 590 liquid chromatograph with a Waters 746 integrator and a Waters 486 UV/Vis detector, and a 25 cm Lichrospher RP18 column (5-μM particle size) was used. The mobile phase consisted of K₂HPO₄ 25 mM, KH₂PO₄ 30 mM, methanol at 262:13:725. The chromatographic separation was performed at 20° C. with a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min, the absorbance of the elluent was monitored at 210 nm.

Hydrolysis profiles (10 μM compound with 20% acetonitrile) were carried out in Soerensen phosphate buffer (pH 7.4 and pH 5.0) in a total volume of 10 ml. 100 μI samples were collected 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 24, 48 and 72 hours after incubation, with shaking, in a waterbath at 37° C. and manually injected into the HPLC over Rheodyne 7125 system. For profiles at pH 1.0 artificial stomach fluid (DAB 9), containing 2 g NaCl, 3.2 g pepsin and 80 ml 1M HCL in 1.0 L of water was used. After 0, 1 and 2 hours 400 μl of sample were collected and extracted three times with 500 μl of ethyl ether by vortexing. The combined extracts were than evaporated to dryness by passing nitrogen through the solution. The residue was than dissolved in 400 μl of mobile phase of which 100 μM were injected in the HPLC. The recovery rate from this extraction procedure was 80%.

This chromatographic system gave retention times of 16.1 min for T3, 20.6 min for clotrimazole and 23.4 min for T34. Whereas clotrimazole slowly hydrolyzed at pH 5.0 (22% T3 after 48 h, 35% T3 after 72 h), T34 was completely stable against hydrolysis at pH 7.4 and pH 5.0 over 72 h (see FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 2, the results clearly show that compound T34 was completely stable against hydrolysis at pH 10, pH 7.4 and pH 5.0 over 72 h (pH 10.0 is not shown). Specifically, FIG. 2 shows the hydrolysis of compound T34 and clotrimazole at pH 7.4 and pH 5.0 (for clotrimazole at pH 5.0 the corresponding amount of T3 can be detected at the corresponding retention time (mean of 3 determinations). At pH 1.0 T34 rapidly breaks down to T3 with a half-life of ˜45 min (FIG. 3).

These results demonstrate that T34 can be used in T-lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine secretion assays. However, for oral administration T34 should be used in an acid-resistant coated formulation.

The compounds of this invention, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof, can be delivered to a patient using a wide variety of routes or modes of administration. Suitable routes of administration include, but are not limited to, inhalation, transdermal, oral, rectal, transmucosal, intestinal and parenteral administration, including intramuscular, subcutaneous and intravenous injections. The compounds described herein, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof, may be administered singly or in combination with other therapeutic agents, e.g. analgesics, antibiotics and other immunosuppressive drugs like cyclosporin A or Kv1.3 selective blockers. The active compound (T34) may be administered per se or in the form of a pharmaceutical composition wherein the active compound is in admixture with one or more physiologically acceptable carriers, excipients or diluents. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in accordance with the present invention may be formulated in conventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries which facilitate processing of the active compounds into preparations which can be used pharmaceutically. Proper formulation is dependent on the route of administration chosen. For parenteral administration (bolus injection or continuous infusion), the agents of the invention may be formulated in water soluble form in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hank's solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological saline buffer. Additionally, suspensions of the compounds may be prepared as oily injections with fatty oils, synthetic fatty acid esters, or liposomes. The compounds may also be formulated as a depot preparation. For oral administration, the compounds can be formulated readily by combining the active compound with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art. Such carriers enable the compounds of the invention to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions an the like, for oral ingestion for patients to be treated. Suitable excipients are, in particular, fillers such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol: cellulose preparations such as, for example maize starch, wheat starch, rice strach, potato starch, gelatin, gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone. 

1-18. (canceled)
 19. A method for suppressing antigen- or cytokine- or mitogen-stimulated calcium entry via store-operated calcium channels in lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, platelets and endothelial cells and/or cytokine production by these cells and/or activation of these cells of a mammalian patient, without concomitant cytochrome P450 inhibition, said method comprising the step of administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound having the formula:

wherein; X, Y and Z are the same or different and are independently selected from CH2, O, S, NR₁, N═CH, CH═N and R₂—C═C—R₃, where R₂ and R₃ are H or may combine to form a saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, optionally substituted with one or more R groups; R₁ is selected from H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl and aroyl, optionally substituted with hydroxy, amino, substituted amino, cyano, alkoxy, halogen, trihaloalkyl, nitro, thio, alkylthio, carboxy and alkoxycarbonyl groups; R is selected from H, halogen, trihaloalkyl, hydroxy, acyloxy, alkoxy, alkenyloxy, thio, alkylthio, nitro, cyano, ureido, acyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, N—(R₄)(R₅) and saturated or unsaturated, chiral or achiral, cyclic or acyclic, straight or branched hydrocarbyl group with from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, trihaloalkyl, alkylthio, alkoxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, oxoalkyl, cyano and N—(R₄)(R₅) group, R₄ and R₅ are selected from H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl and acyl or R₄ and R₅ may combine to form a ring, wherein a carbon may be optionally substituted by a heteroatom selected from O, S or N—R₆, R₆ is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl or carboxyalkyl, n is 0-5; m is 1 or 2; with the proviso that when m is 1, Q is selected from OH, CN, carboxyalkyl, N—(R₇)(R₈), where R₇ and R₈ are selected from H, lower alkyl (1-4C), cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, amido, or R₇ and R₈ may combine to form a saturated or unsaturated heterocylic ring and optionally substituted with up to 3 additional heteroatoms selected from N, O, and S; or —NH-heterocycle, where the heterocycle is represented by thiazole, oxazole,

isoxazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, and purine and where U and V are selected from H and O; and when m is 2, Q is a spacer of from 2-10 carbons either as a straight or branched, chiral or achiral, cyclic or acyclic, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon group such as phenyl.
 20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the compound is 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole.
 21. A method according to claim 19 wherein the compound is 1-[(2-fluorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole.
 22. A method according to claim 19 wherein the compound is 1-[(4-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole.
 23. A method according to claim 19 wherein the compound is 1-[(2-fluorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole.
 24. A method according to claim 19 wherein the compound is 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazole.
 25. A method according to claim 19 wherein the compound is 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2,2-diphenylacetonitrile.
 26. A method according to claim 19 wherein the compound is 2-(2-fluorophenyl)-2,2-diphenylacetonitrile.
 27. A method according to claim 19 wherein the method is carried out for the purpose of treating or preventing an autoimmune disorder, transplant rejection or graft-versus-host disease in a mammalian patient.
 28. A method according to claim 19 wherein the method is carried out for the purpose of causing immunomodulation.
 29. A method according to claim 28 wherein the method is carried out for the purpose of causing immunomodulation as a treatment for an autoimmune disorder, to prevent transplant rejection or to treat graft-versus-host disease. 